Daijiworld Media Network - Tumakuru (MS)
Tumakuru, Aug 30: Tense situation prevaiiled in Turuvekere constituency of the district after former and sitting MLAs engaged in a war of words over a trivial issue. The district administration has imposed Section 144.
The prohibitory orders have come as a big setback to the JD(S) which had planned a huge protest on Monday, August 31. The JD(S) leaders are however adamant on holding the protest, which has made the situation more critical.
Representational photo
Political drama is unfolding between sitting MLA Masala Jayaram of BJP and former MLA M T Krishnappa of JD(S) in Turuvekere legislative constituency of the district. Both leaders are hurling accusations at each other over a trivial matter. The removal of coconut saplings by the town panchayat officials, that had grown on a property which was encroached, has become the bone of contention, together with removal of banners.
This farmland, which was allegedly illegal, belongs to a JD(S) worker. Former MLA M T Krishnappa of JD(S) has alleged that the officials of town panchayat have removed the coconut saplings on the orders of BJP MLA Masala Jayaram. JD(S) leaders have put up flex banners accusing the sitting BJP MLA of being a 'murderer', which caused ire in the local BJP camp.
Police had removed the word 'murderer' from the flex banner and had let the banner remain. Later BJP workers removed all the banners. This infuriated the JD(S) workers. JD(S) has planned a huge rally on Monday, under the leadership of former CM Kumaraswamy, condemning the policy of ruling state BJP government.
District BJP is also threatening the administration to hold protest on Monday if JD(S) is allowed to protest. In such a scenario, the situation might get out of control. In addition, it is also not right to gather scores of people in the wake of coronavirus restrictions. Considering all these points, the district administration has imposed section 144 on Monday.
The decision of district administration has given a jolt to JD(S). However, former MLA of the constituency, Krishnappa from JD(S) has said that they will hold rally in the midst of Section 144 itself. So the situation in Turuvekere is tense now. As a precautionary measure 500 police personnel, 30 PSIs and two DSPs are deputed in the constituency.